Today we shared a reminder of the power of words, inspired by the books of Proverbs (OT) and James (NT) and a devotional from author and pastor Craig Groeschel…we originally shared this in 2013. The words that come out of our mouth and fly off our pens and fingertips are important. Are we speaking life? Writing life? Posting life? Or death?

Proverbs 18:21 – “The tongue has power of life and death.”

Proverbs 15:4 – “The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.”

James 1:26 – “Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.”

James 3:

3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4 Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 5 Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. 11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

Godly words can revive, heal and change our lives…

Ungodly words have the power to bind, imprison and destroy!

  • Creative words create
  • Destructive words destroy
  • Hurtful words crush
  • Helpful words build up
  • Toxic words poison
  • Soothing words heal
  • Faith-filled words bring life
  • Faithless words bring death.

We have a choice and control what comes out of our mouth.

We also have a choice to make when we hear the words of others – we can receive them as truth or reject them as lies. 

We also have to consider the issue of “self-talk” – in other words, what are we telling ourselves about ourselves?  Toxic self-talk can shape our actions and our future.  We need to speak life-giving words to ourselves and our circumstances…always reminding ourselves of the value God places on us.  We need to align our thoughts and words with HIS truth.

Thanks for listening!
– Joe and Alyssa